Quick answer

Brew Colombian medium roast with water just off the boil—about 195–205°F (90–96°C)—and a medium grind. Use a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio by weight, and aim for a total brew time of 3–4 minutes. Start with whole beans and grind right before brewing.

Start with the right beans and water

Medium roast Colombian beans are balanced and sweet, so the biggest improvements come from fresh whole beans and clean water. If you buy pre-ground, use it within a week or two; whole beans keep their aromatics much longer. For water, filtered tap is fine—avoid distilled or heavily chlorinated water, which can flatten the cup.

Weigh your coffee and water for consistency

A digital scale removes the guesswork. For a standard mug (about 10 oz / 300 ml), start with 18–20 g of coffee and 300 g of water. That is roughly a 1:16 ratio. If you prefer a stronger cup, tighten to 1:15; for a lighter cup, loosen to 1:17. Adjust one variable at a time so you can taste what changed.

Match grind size to your brewer

Medium roast beans are forgiving, but grind size still controls extraction. For pour over, use a medium grind about the texture of table salt. For drip, a slightly finer medium works well. For French press, go coarse to avoid silt. If your coffee tastes bitter and dry, grind coarser; if it tastes sour or weak, grind finer.

Control water temperature and bloom

Medium roast water temperature should sit between 195°F and 205°F (90–96°C). If you do not have a variable kettle, boil and let it rest for 30–45 seconds. Pour just enough water to saturate the grounds—about twice the coffee weight—and wait 30–45 seconds. This bloom releases carbon dioxide so the rest of the water can extract evenly.

Pour in stages and watch the clock

After the bloom, pour in slow circles from the center outward, keeping the water level steady. Finish pouring by 2:30–3:00, and let the bed drain completely. Total brew time should land around 3–4 minutes. If it runs much faster, your grind is too coarse; if it stalls, go coarser or check your filter.

Your step-by-step brewing routine

  1. 1. Heat water to 195–205°F (90–96°C): Boil fresh filtered water and let it cool slightly, or set a variable kettle to 200°F. Common mistake: pouring straight off a rolling boil, which can scorch medium roast and add bitterness. Checkpoint: If you have no thermometer, wait 30–45 seconds after boiling.
  2. 2. Weigh and grind 18–20 g of beans: Grind to a medium consistency, like table salt, right before brewing. Common mistake: grinding too fine for pour over, which slows the drawdown and makes the cup harsh. Checkpoint: If the brew stalls past 4 minutes, grind coarser next time.
  3. 3. Bloom with 36–40 g of water for 30–45 seconds: Pour just enough water to wet all grounds and wait for the bed to settle. Common mistake: skipping the bloom, which traps gas and causes uneven extraction. Checkpoint: A fresh medium roast will bubble and expand during the bloom.
  4. 4. Pour the remaining water in slow circles: Add water in two or three pours, finishing by 2:30–3:00. Keep the water level steady and avoid pouring directly onto the filter. Common mistake: dumping all the water at once, which channels through the grounds. Checkpoint: Total brew time should be 3–4 minutes.
  5. 5. Taste and adjust one variable: If the cup is sour or weak, grind finer or raise the water temperature slightly. If it is bitter or dry, grind coarser or lower the temperature. Common mistake: changing grind, ratio, and temperature all at once. Checkpoint: Change only one thing per brew so you can taste the difference.

Products that fit this method

  • Mujeres Cafeteras Medium Roast Whole Bean 16oz: Mujeres Cafeteras Medium Roast Whole Bean 16oz is a medium roast with notes of caramel and fruit, made from a selection highlighting Colombian women coffee growers. Its whole-bean format lets you grind to the exact size your brewer needs, and the caramel-fruit profile works well with the 1:16 ratio above.
  • Roast Profile Discovery Set: Roast Profile Discovery Set includes three whole-bean classics, including a Medium Roast described as a harmonious balance. If you are still dialing in your preferred roast level, this set lets you compare how roast time changes flavor using the same brewing steps.